This post is a commentary on the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus' most significant teaching in the book of Matthew. The Sermon on the Mount is a reversion of the law of God as given by Moses-- more streamlined, more accurate and applicable to everyone who has God's Spirit. If we live by this teaching of Jesus, then we will be in line to enter God's kingdom, and in the best place to live in God's Spirit now.
But there are many who say that the Sermon isn't for Christians today-- if you think that, please read the last bit, Matthew 7:25-27. Jesus there says that those who hear the sermon but refuse to obey it will be judged on the last day. He repeats this in Matthew 12:46-50. Please don't be fooled by those who think the Sermon is for those in the past. It is for today, for today's people. Let us live it out and place our hope on Jesus, our King and Lawgiver.
Steve Kimes
Pastor of Anawim Christian Community
Monday, April 23, 2007
Who Are The People of God? Matthew 5:3-10
We can look around at the different religions and the many different kinds of Christianity and we can wonder, who among all of these different kinds of religious people does God really care for? Some religions are strict, others are lax; some are private and personal, while others are public and in-your-face; some are meditative, others are ethical, while others are very social. And each one of them has their own ideas of what makes up the people of God and who really belongs.
Of all the people in the world, Jesus is one of the few who we can trust to really know what God prefers. Jesus lived among his people and taught and healed—but more importantly, God gave his stamp of approval on his life and teaching beyond anyone else, because God raised him from the dead. No other religious teacher or prophet or theologian could claim that. So rather than delving into theology or religious doctrine, let’s just look at what Jesus said about the subject.
The Beatitudes—Matthew 5:3-10
The Beatitudes are Jesus’ blueprint for God’s people. He didn’t come up with it himself—although he packaged it. Most of this teaching comes from the Hebrew Bible (which is usually today called the Old Testament). It is called “the beatitudes” today because each statement speaks about a blessing that the people of God will receive. “Beatitude” comes from a Latin word which means “state of bliss”. And these statements explain who will receive a state of blessing or fortune from God. Before we explain it, though, let’s hear what Jesus has to say about God’s people for himself:
The poor in spirit are fortunate because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Those who grieve are fortunate, because they will be cheered. The meek are fortunate, because they will inherit the earth. Those hungry and thirsty for justice are fortunate, because they will eat their fill. The merciful are fortunate, because they will be granted mercy. The clean in heart are fortunate, because they will see God. The peacemakers are fortunate, because they will be called 'sons of God.' Those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness are fortunate, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Who are these people?
The first thing we want to look at are the characteristics of God’s people. Jesus statements about these characteristics can be divided in two: a. Situational characteristics and b. Ethical characteristics.
The Anawim of God
Some of the characteristics of God’s people relate to the awful situations they find themselves in:
· The poor in spirit (oppressed, especially economically),
· The grieving (remorseful about the situations they find themselves in),
· The meek (lowly, disenfranchised or outcast),
· Those hungering and thirsting for justice (greatly desiring right to prevail in their lives)
· And the persecuted (rejected or spoken ill of).
This isn’t exactly a top-ten of things that we want to be! These characteristics can be summarized in one Hebrew word—anawim. The Bible speaks much of the anawim, because they are the kinds of people God focuses on, and desires to help more than anyone else. (Read Exodus 22:21-24; Psalm 37:11 and Psalm 34:6.) That’s because they have no one else but God to turn to. No power on earth will pay attention to them, because most people would prefer to pretend that they didn’t even exist. Some of the anawim in our society are the homeless, the mentally ill, the elderly, the chronically sick and all the various others who are socially outcast. These are the poor, the lowly, the outcast—and they are God’s people. If a person thinks that they are of God or His people, but have never experienced this kind of rejection by society, then they are not, in reality of God’s true people.
The Loving of God
However, one cannot just be rejected or poor and be of God’s people. Many teachers and theologians today will teach that Jesus said that everyone who is poor or outcast represents him. But that simply isn’t true. Jesus said that those of his “brothers” who are needy are his people. And Jesus said that his brothers would “do the will of my Father in heaven”. In other words, they listened to and obeyed God. But what kind of obedience is Jesus talking about? Not drinking on a Friday night? Studying the Bible every day? Standing on a street corner yelling, “You’re going to hell” to everyone you see? Hmmm… let’s see what Jesus says:
· The merciful (those who do good to everyone in need without exception);
· The clean in heart (those who do what is right because they have a mind focused on God, and not because of superficial reasons)
· The peacemakers (those who do good to their enemies, who refuse to judge on appearances and who gather people to be devoted to God);
· And the persecuted for righteousness’ sake (those who are rejected because they were doing the good God said to do).
These are the people who keep two things on their main agenda: They are devoted to God first and foremost, not allowing anything else in their lives to get in the way of their love of God. Second, they are doing everything they can to benefit other people, no matter who they are. This makes sense, because Jesus said that these two things are to be the focus of everyone who lives for God (Matthew 22:35-40). They love God and they love other people. And sometimes they get burned because of it. Sometimes they are rejected or even physically hurt because of it. But they know it’s worth it.
How can it be worth it?
It doesn’t seem worth it. Jesus is saying that God’s people are those who are so focused on devotion to God and assisting others that they get hurt by it. It just doesn’t seem right. But it really is—in fact, it is a weird sense of justice that indicates that these are God’s people and not others. Just look at what God’s people get:
· Theirs is the kingdom of heaven (God lets them rule His coming nation!)
· They will be cheered (God gives them happiness!)
· They will inherit the earth (God gives them land and city to be in charge of!)
· They will eat their fill (God will give them true justice—forever!)
· They will receive mercy (God will overlook their faults and meet their needs!)
· They will see God (God will let them be in his presence!)
· They will be called sons of God (God will call them his own!)
All wrapped up, these are the blessings of God that almost everyone wants. It is peace, security, true spirituality, all of one’s needs met, a peaceful society to live in. It is winning the real lottery—obtaining true happiness that you could never get with cash.
So why do these people get it, and not others? Because only God is offering it, and only those who are truly devoted to God and His ways will get it. And how can anyone know that we were really devoted—and not just faking it? How can anyone know that we really cared about other people and weren’t just faking it? Because we acted in love even though we were living in hard times. We stayed right with God, even though we suffered for it. We continued to help others, even though people thought we were wrong to do it. We suffered and loved at the same time.
How fortunate are the oppressed because they will rule God’s kingdom!
How fortunate are the sorrowful, because God will cheer them up.
How fortunate are the lowly, because God will give them the earth.
How fortunate are those who desperately desire justice, because they will get just what they want.
How fortunate are those who act in compassion, for God will be compassionate to them.
How fortunate are those single-minded on God, for they will see Him.
How fortunate are the creators of peaceful communities, for God will make them rulers.
How fortunate are the sufferers for righteousness, because they will rule God’s kingdom!
Of all the people in the world, Jesus is one of the few who we can trust to really know what God prefers. Jesus lived among his people and taught and healed—but more importantly, God gave his stamp of approval on his life and teaching beyond anyone else, because God raised him from the dead. No other religious teacher or prophet or theologian could claim that. So rather than delving into theology or religious doctrine, let’s just look at what Jesus said about the subject.
The Beatitudes—Matthew 5:3-10
The Beatitudes are Jesus’ blueprint for God’s people. He didn’t come up with it himself—although he packaged it. Most of this teaching comes from the Hebrew Bible (which is usually today called the Old Testament). It is called “the beatitudes” today because each statement speaks about a blessing that the people of God will receive. “Beatitude” comes from a Latin word which means “state of bliss”. And these statements explain who will receive a state of blessing or fortune from God. Before we explain it, though, let’s hear what Jesus has to say about God’s people for himself:
The poor in spirit are fortunate because the kingdom of heaven is theirs. Those who grieve are fortunate, because they will be cheered. The meek are fortunate, because they will inherit the earth. Those hungry and thirsty for justice are fortunate, because they will eat their fill. The merciful are fortunate, because they will be granted mercy. The clean in heart are fortunate, because they will see God. The peacemakers are fortunate, because they will be called 'sons of God.' Those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness are fortunate, because the kingdom of heaven is theirs.
Who are these people?
The first thing we want to look at are the characteristics of God’s people. Jesus statements about these characteristics can be divided in two: a. Situational characteristics and b. Ethical characteristics.
The Anawim of God
Some of the characteristics of God’s people relate to the awful situations they find themselves in:
· The poor in spirit (oppressed, especially economically),
· The grieving (remorseful about the situations they find themselves in),
· The meek (lowly, disenfranchised or outcast),
· Those hungering and thirsting for justice (greatly desiring right to prevail in their lives)
· And the persecuted (rejected or spoken ill of).
This isn’t exactly a top-ten of things that we want to be! These characteristics can be summarized in one Hebrew word—anawim. The Bible speaks much of the anawim, because they are the kinds of people God focuses on, and desires to help more than anyone else. (Read Exodus 22:21-24; Psalm 37:11 and Psalm 34:6.) That’s because they have no one else but God to turn to. No power on earth will pay attention to them, because most people would prefer to pretend that they didn’t even exist. Some of the anawim in our society are the homeless, the mentally ill, the elderly, the chronically sick and all the various others who are socially outcast. These are the poor, the lowly, the outcast—and they are God’s people. If a person thinks that they are of God or His people, but have never experienced this kind of rejection by society, then they are not, in reality of God’s true people.
The Loving of God
However, one cannot just be rejected or poor and be of God’s people. Many teachers and theologians today will teach that Jesus said that everyone who is poor or outcast represents him. But that simply isn’t true. Jesus said that those of his “brothers” who are needy are his people. And Jesus said that his brothers would “do the will of my Father in heaven”. In other words, they listened to and obeyed God. But what kind of obedience is Jesus talking about? Not drinking on a Friday night? Studying the Bible every day? Standing on a street corner yelling, “You’re going to hell” to everyone you see? Hmmm… let’s see what Jesus says:
· The merciful (those who do good to everyone in need without exception);
· The clean in heart (those who do what is right because they have a mind focused on God, and not because of superficial reasons)
· The peacemakers (those who do good to their enemies, who refuse to judge on appearances and who gather people to be devoted to God);
· And the persecuted for righteousness’ sake (those who are rejected because they were doing the good God said to do).
These are the people who keep two things on their main agenda: They are devoted to God first and foremost, not allowing anything else in their lives to get in the way of their love of God. Second, they are doing everything they can to benefit other people, no matter who they are. This makes sense, because Jesus said that these two things are to be the focus of everyone who lives for God (Matthew 22:35-40). They love God and they love other people. And sometimes they get burned because of it. Sometimes they are rejected or even physically hurt because of it. But they know it’s worth it.
How can it be worth it?
It doesn’t seem worth it. Jesus is saying that God’s people are those who are so focused on devotion to God and assisting others that they get hurt by it. It just doesn’t seem right. But it really is—in fact, it is a weird sense of justice that indicates that these are God’s people and not others. Just look at what God’s people get:
· Theirs is the kingdom of heaven (God lets them rule His coming nation!)
· They will be cheered (God gives them happiness!)
· They will inherit the earth (God gives them land and city to be in charge of!)
· They will eat their fill (God will give them true justice—forever!)
· They will receive mercy (God will overlook their faults and meet their needs!)
· They will see God (God will let them be in his presence!)
· They will be called sons of God (God will call them his own!)
All wrapped up, these are the blessings of God that almost everyone wants. It is peace, security, true spirituality, all of one’s needs met, a peaceful society to live in. It is winning the real lottery—obtaining true happiness that you could never get with cash.
So why do these people get it, and not others? Because only God is offering it, and only those who are truly devoted to God and His ways will get it. And how can anyone know that we were really devoted—and not just faking it? How can anyone know that we really cared about other people and weren’t just faking it? Because we acted in love even though we were living in hard times. We stayed right with God, even though we suffered for it. We continued to help others, even though people thought we were wrong to do it. We suffered and loved at the same time.
How fortunate are the oppressed because they will rule God’s kingdom!
How fortunate are the sorrowful, because God will cheer them up.
How fortunate are the lowly, because God will give them the earth.
How fortunate are those who desperately desire justice, because they will get just what they want.
How fortunate are those who act in compassion, for God will be compassionate to them.
How fortunate are those single-minded on God, for they will see Him.
How fortunate are the creators of peaceful communities, for God will make them rulers.
How fortunate are the sufferers for righteousness, because they will rule God’s kingdom!
Character and Conflict-- Matthew 5:11-16
Jesus already spoke about his unique vision of the character of the true people of God in the first part of the Sermon on the Mount, called the Beatitudes. However, Jesus’ vision really is unique—in fact, it is disagreed with by most religious leaders that have ever lived, including most Christian ones! Jesus really did know who God really desires to help, because Jesus is the only one to hear it directly from the Father. He has the full vision of God, while all other prophets and religious teachers only have a part of God’s plan.
Most teachers say that God’s people are righteous—but they think that God’s people just need to follow a particular code or list of rules to be God’s people. Jesus is saying that rules aren’t the heart of God’s people. Rather God’s people are interested in being merciful to other people and in having a motivation to be right before God in everything they do—whether their list of rules is long or short. Most religious teachers say that wealth and a good life are signs of God’s blessing. Jesus says that those who are oppressed and poor and looking to God to help them out of the trouble they find themselves in—these are the ones who will truly be blessed by God.
Jesus’ teaching is strange to most people, and most people will strongly disagree with it. This makes it difficult for those following what Jesus truly says. If everyone says that to be a good Christian you just need to pray a prayer, what does that mean for those who follow Jesus’ words to be merciful and clean in heart? If everyone says that to be a good Christian, everything will be going well in your life, what does that mean for those who listen to Jesus’ words about oppression and persecution?
After the Beatitudes, Jesus gives us some additional words of encouragement to remain in the character of God’s people. He gives three teachings, all of which are reflections on enduring in God’s character, although the world tells you something differently.
1. Act Like A Lottery Winner—Matthew 5:11-12
You are fortunate when they disparage you and persecute and speak all kinds of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and show gladness, because your reward is much in heaven, for even so did they persecute the prophets who were before you.
Jesus tells us that it makes sense that we will be spoken ill of, especially by people who hold to their own views about religion or how life should be lived. They will say, “Don’t allow yourself to be oppressed—you need to agree with us and to do what we do.” And if you don’t—in other words, if you stick with Jesus in opposition to their points of view—then people will say terrible things about you—even lies and horrible slander. This is normal, Jesus says. More than normal, it is a cause of great joy!
How can this be? Normal people don’t get lied about, slandered, hated and then have a party about it. That just doesn’t make sense. Jesus tells us to remember the prophets of God. They were speaking the truth of God and have been honored by God’s people for countless generations. However, they were rejected and hated and slandered about by the generation they spoke to. They weren’t liked at all! But what happened to them? They received great reward from God. God gave them much more after their life in His presence than they could possibly expect on earth.
This means that the prophets, although they were despised on earth, were actually like secret lottery winners. No, they haven't collected their prize yet, but they had the ticket. The ticket to winning the lottery, Jesus says, is living a merciful, godly life and being persecuted for it. So if you’ve got the ticket—act like it! Be happy, jump up and down, sing praises to God, have a party! Sure, people will think you’re nuts—“No, I don’t think I want to go to your ‘Persecution Party’”—but since you know the secret, you might as well enjoy it (Acts 5:41).
2. Don’t be like Marlon Brando—Matthew 5:13
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt is foolish, with what will it be made salty? It is capable for nothing except as an outcast to be trampled on by men.
In Jesus’ day, salt was used for a number of things—just like today. We use salt for seasoning food, for snow covered sidewalks, for liquid absorption and much more. Jesus wasn’t using the image of salt to speak of it’s use, rather he was using salt because of it’s ability to still look like salt, but not to be useful anymore. Salt can lose its “salty” character, and so it is no longer useful to anyone for anything.
Even so, Jesus says, can God’s people lose their basic character. We have to remember that the basic character of God’s people is to have our hearts focused on God, to be merciful and to be oppressed because of our stand to follow Jesus. But in a world—especially a church—that is telling us that God’s people are NOT like that, it is easy to focus on what other people say are the characteristics of God. But if we lose focus, if we lose track of what Jesus says is most important—mercy, devotion and being persecuted—then we are like salt that is no longer useful. We will no longer be God’s people. We will only be fit to be thrown out of God’s kingdom.
Jesus is telling us not to be like Marlon Brando. Marlon Brando was famous as a character actor. In front of the camera, he was a new person, a different character than he really was. However, when he lived his real life, he was something completely different. Marlon Brando was a consummate actor—able to believably be what he was not. Jesus is saying that we are to constantly be the people of God—and that means acting like it all the time. We must always be merciful. We must always have devotion to God. And we must not shrink from or be depressed by persecution. We must embrace the characteristics of God’s people, and be glad that we are who God made us to be, and never be anything else.
3. Show off like a sports star
You are the light of the world. A city being set on a mountain is not able to be hidden. And nor is a lamp burned and placed under a container, but upon a lampstand and to shine everywhere in the house. Thus, shine your light before men, so that they can see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
When we are God’s people—the real ones, not the fake ones that the world is filled with—we often want to shrink back and hide. We don’t want people to see our true character, because they might think we are stupid (or worse, they might tell us so). We’d rather show people that we are normal, in other words, just like them. If people saw that we were constantly, 100 percent devoted to God in all things—they’d think we were fanatics. If people saw that we were always being merciful, they’d think that we were soft-hearted or easy to take advantage of. If people saw that we were pleased to receive persecution, they might use it as an excuse to abuse us. If people saw that we were seeking God for justice, they might think that we were idiots or lazy.
And so we are tempted to go undercover with our true character. To hide the true character of God’s people with something that is more acceptable. Jesus, however, tells us to do just the opposite—we need to show off! The work that we do, the character that we’ve become isn’t our own decision, but it is God’s work. If it is God’s work, then we shouldn’t hide it! Instead, we need to display God’s work as often as possible.
First of all, Jesus says, God’s character in your life CANNOT be hidden. If you put a city on a mountain—that can’t be hidden. Even so, Jesus says, that’s what God’s people are like. They are like the sun in the sky—try as you like, you can’t hide it’s presence. (I Timothy 5:25)
But also, Jesus says, God’s character in us SHOULDN’T be hidden. A lamp is made to shine the light. Even so, God’s people are placed on earth to display God’s light. Does Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods hide in closets because they don’t want to be boastful about their abilities? Absolutely not! They show it to as many people as possible! Even so, we are to show God’s work.
This doesn’t mean that we are to show off how much we pray or whatever to impress people (Matthew 6:1-2). Rather, we show our devotion and especially the persecution we suffer to show God’s glory. Perhaps people won’t be impressed with us. Perhaps they will find us disgusting. But that’s just shows who are in God’s people and who aren’t.
Don’t be ashamed of being what God made you to be: Devoted to Him.
Most teachers say that God’s people are righteous—but they think that God’s people just need to follow a particular code or list of rules to be God’s people. Jesus is saying that rules aren’t the heart of God’s people. Rather God’s people are interested in being merciful to other people and in having a motivation to be right before God in everything they do—whether their list of rules is long or short. Most religious teachers say that wealth and a good life are signs of God’s blessing. Jesus says that those who are oppressed and poor and looking to God to help them out of the trouble they find themselves in—these are the ones who will truly be blessed by God.
Jesus’ teaching is strange to most people, and most people will strongly disagree with it. This makes it difficult for those following what Jesus truly says. If everyone says that to be a good Christian you just need to pray a prayer, what does that mean for those who follow Jesus’ words to be merciful and clean in heart? If everyone says that to be a good Christian, everything will be going well in your life, what does that mean for those who listen to Jesus’ words about oppression and persecution?
After the Beatitudes, Jesus gives us some additional words of encouragement to remain in the character of God’s people. He gives three teachings, all of which are reflections on enduring in God’s character, although the world tells you something differently.
1. Act Like A Lottery Winner—Matthew 5:11-12
You are fortunate when they disparage you and persecute and speak all kinds of evil against you falsely because of me. Rejoice and show gladness, because your reward is much in heaven, for even so did they persecute the prophets who were before you.
Jesus tells us that it makes sense that we will be spoken ill of, especially by people who hold to their own views about religion or how life should be lived. They will say, “Don’t allow yourself to be oppressed—you need to agree with us and to do what we do.” And if you don’t—in other words, if you stick with Jesus in opposition to their points of view—then people will say terrible things about you—even lies and horrible slander. This is normal, Jesus says. More than normal, it is a cause of great joy!
How can this be? Normal people don’t get lied about, slandered, hated and then have a party about it. That just doesn’t make sense. Jesus tells us to remember the prophets of God. They were speaking the truth of God and have been honored by God’s people for countless generations. However, they were rejected and hated and slandered about by the generation they spoke to. They weren’t liked at all! But what happened to them? They received great reward from God. God gave them much more after their life in His presence than they could possibly expect on earth.
This means that the prophets, although they were despised on earth, were actually like secret lottery winners. No, they haven't collected their prize yet, but they had the ticket. The ticket to winning the lottery, Jesus says, is living a merciful, godly life and being persecuted for it. So if you’ve got the ticket—act like it! Be happy, jump up and down, sing praises to God, have a party! Sure, people will think you’re nuts—“No, I don’t think I want to go to your ‘Persecution Party’”—but since you know the secret, you might as well enjoy it (Acts 5:41).
2. Don’t be like Marlon Brando—Matthew 5:13
You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt is foolish, with what will it be made salty? It is capable for nothing except as an outcast to be trampled on by men.
In Jesus’ day, salt was used for a number of things—just like today. We use salt for seasoning food, for snow covered sidewalks, for liquid absorption and much more. Jesus wasn’t using the image of salt to speak of it’s use, rather he was using salt because of it’s ability to still look like salt, but not to be useful anymore. Salt can lose its “salty” character, and so it is no longer useful to anyone for anything.
Even so, Jesus says, can God’s people lose their basic character. We have to remember that the basic character of God’s people is to have our hearts focused on God, to be merciful and to be oppressed because of our stand to follow Jesus. But in a world—especially a church—that is telling us that God’s people are NOT like that, it is easy to focus on what other people say are the characteristics of God. But if we lose focus, if we lose track of what Jesus says is most important—mercy, devotion and being persecuted—then we are like salt that is no longer useful. We will no longer be God’s people. We will only be fit to be thrown out of God’s kingdom.
Jesus is telling us not to be like Marlon Brando. Marlon Brando was famous as a character actor. In front of the camera, he was a new person, a different character than he really was. However, when he lived his real life, he was something completely different. Marlon Brando was a consummate actor—able to believably be what he was not. Jesus is saying that we are to constantly be the people of God—and that means acting like it all the time. We must always be merciful. We must always have devotion to God. And we must not shrink from or be depressed by persecution. We must embrace the characteristics of God’s people, and be glad that we are who God made us to be, and never be anything else.
3. Show off like a sports star
You are the light of the world. A city being set on a mountain is not able to be hidden. And nor is a lamp burned and placed under a container, but upon a lampstand and to shine everywhere in the house. Thus, shine your light before men, so that they can see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
When we are God’s people—the real ones, not the fake ones that the world is filled with—we often want to shrink back and hide. We don’t want people to see our true character, because they might think we are stupid (or worse, they might tell us so). We’d rather show people that we are normal, in other words, just like them. If people saw that we were constantly, 100 percent devoted to God in all things—they’d think we were fanatics. If people saw that we were always being merciful, they’d think that we were soft-hearted or easy to take advantage of. If people saw that we were pleased to receive persecution, they might use it as an excuse to abuse us. If people saw that we were seeking God for justice, they might think that we were idiots or lazy.
And so we are tempted to go undercover with our true character. To hide the true character of God’s people with something that is more acceptable. Jesus, however, tells us to do just the opposite—we need to show off! The work that we do, the character that we’ve become isn’t our own decision, but it is God’s work. If it is God’s work, then we shouldn’t hide it! Instead, we need to display God’s work as often as possible.
First of all, Jesus says, God’s character in your life CANNOT be hidden. If you put a city on a mountain—that can’t be hidden. Even so, Jesus says, that’s what God’s people are like. They are like the sun in the sky—try as you like, you can’t hide it’s presence. (I Timothy 5:25)
But also, Jesus says, God’s character in us SHOULDN’T be hidden. A lamp is made to shine the light. Even so, God’s people are placed on earth to display God’s light. Does Michael Jordan and Tiger Woods hide in closets because they don’t want to be boastful about their abilities? Absolutely not! They show it to as many people as possible! Even so, we are to show God’s work.
This doesn’t mean that we are to show off how much we pray or whatever to impress people (Matthew 6:1-2). Rather, we show our devotion and especially the persecution we suffer to show God’s glory. Perhaps people won’t be impressed with us. Perhaps they will find us disgusting. But that’s just shows who are in God’s people and who aren’t.
Don’t be ashamed of being what God made you to be: Devoted to Him.
Jesus and the Law-- Matthew 5:18-20
Did Jesus embrace the Law of Moses?
Did Jesus support Moses, or was he Moses’ worst enemy? Did Jesus fully accept all of the law of Moses, or did he reject every command? And why even bring it up? Well, it is important. If someone comes up to you and insists that you not do any activity on the Sabbath (however he interprets that), then you need to know what Jesus thought of Moses’ command of the Sabbath. If you are struggling whether as a Christian how seriously you should take the food laws of Moses, you should know something about this subject.
Why is Jesus bringing up this subject?
In the context Jesus was speaking—the Sermon on the Mount to a large group of Jews in the midst of Israel—it seems that the answer would be simple. Of course he supports the Law! That’s what everyone would expect. So why even bring up the subject? First of all, Jesus brought it up because people around him questioned him about it. They asked, “Are you getting rid of the Old Testament?” So Jesus felt that he should answer the question.
So why did they bring it up? Because there were many times that Jesus sounded as if he was opposing the commands of the Old Testament. Sometimes it seemed as if Jesus was going to throw the whole thing away and start again. And many Christians throughout the years thought he was doing just that. Not only that, but the next section Jesus was going to discuss is full of many statements that sounds like he is contradicting the Old Testament. The section is called the Six Antitheses, where Jesus quotes the Old Testament, and then he makes a statement that seems to contradict the verse.
So which is it? Does Jesus support the Old Testament, or oppose it? Let’s read what he says:
Some think that I am setting aside the Old Testament, especially Moses’ law—but I have not come to do that. Rather, I have come to complete the Old Testament. Pay attention, here: even the least bit of Moses’ law will stand written, until every minor part of it is done as it stands written. Therefore, whoever is lax with Moses’ law and teaches others to do the same—they may enter the coming kingdom, but they will be unimportant there. But whoever emphasizes obedience in their own lives and in others’, they will be called great in God’s kingdom. Unless you have a better righteousness than today’s Bible teachers, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus’ general view of Moses’ law
Generally, Jesus is very affirming of the Old Testament, especially Moses’ law. Jesus says that Moses’ law will remain and it will be authoritative until the end of the age, when God’s kingdom will come. Not only that, but Jesus affirms the teaching of the whole law. The true teachers teach the whole Old Testament, Jesus said, leaving nothing out, even the least significant command. It seems as if Jesus fully supported the law.
How did Jesus fulfill the law of Moses?
Jesus thought so highly of Moses’ law, that he claimed that he would complete or fulfill it to the utmost extent. But what did Jesus actually mean by that? He meant three things:
a. Jesus would obey the Mosaic Law to the full extent
Jesus was a fully observant Jew, and never disobeyed the law of Moses. No Jew could accuse him of sin, which was determined by the law of Moses—not even his enemies (John 8:46). Jesus obeyed the law better than Moses or David did. Not only did Jesus obey the law that was written down to the letter, but he obeyed the Greater Law that stood behind the Mosaic Law.
b. Jesus would fulfill the paradigms that were only partially fulfilled in the Mosaic Law
All throughout the books of Moses, as well as the rest of the Hebrew Bible, there were many examples of God’s people, but all of them failed in some way. Moses and David were murderers, Aaron participated in idolatry, Abraham was a deceiver and Jacob was greedy. The children of Israel failed God’s law again and again. However, Jesus took Moses’ and David’s place, as well as the nation of Israel as a whole, and he fulfilled all of their roles perfectly, without any fault before God. Thus, Jesus fulfilled every role the Hebrew Bible presents—he was an obedient deliverer, a just judge, a devoted mediator, and a holy nation who endured through testing. Many of the Scriptures that Jesus was fulfilling were not prophecies at all, but simply stories that needed to be completed (see Matthew 2:15 and Hosea 11:1-2).
c. Jesus would fulfill the prophecies that are stated in the Hebrew Bible
Jesus stated many times that the Scripture would be fulfilled in him (for example, Matthew 26:31, 54). By this, he meant that there were many things in the Hebrew Scriptures that God says would happen. However, they had not occurred yet. Jesus said that he himself would be the focus of the completion of these promises.
Did Jesus contradict Moses?
Many people have trouble with Jesus saying, “Whoever is lax with Moses’ law will be least in God’s kingdom.” This is because they see Jesus opposing Moses in many places in his teaching: Concerning divorce, about how to treat one’s enemies, whether Gentiles can enter God’s kingdom, and in many other areas Jesus on the surface seems to be contradicting Moses. Does this mean that Jesus’ himself would be least in God’s kingdom? Looking closer, however, Jesus does not oppose the Torah in any way. Often Jesus is seen as doing away with Sabbath and cleansing laws of Moses’ law, but he is not doing so. At times he is prioritizing them, so that if they are in conflict, it can be seen which laws should be obeyed in a certain context. At times he is adjusting them, to make them be interpreted in light of compassion and justice. And at times he is heightening them, so they are to be interpreted in light of God’s higher laws. But never does he just say that this law has no place; nor does he set aside any command. To look at this closer, see the tract: “Did Jesus Oppose the Law?”
Does this mean that we need to place a railing on our roofs? (Deuteronomy 22:8)
Jesus is supporting the law to such a degree, does he then expect us to live it out? Should we start wearing God’s word on our forehead and stop eating bacon? Not necessarily. We need to remember that Jesus is speaking to his fellow Jews, not Gentiles. There are two cases in Matthew that he spoke to Gentiles and spoke of his demands. His demand for them was not to follow Moses, but to have faith (Matthew 8:5-13; 15:21-28) At first, Jesus sent his disciples to Israel alone, but when he sent them finally to the Gentiles, they were to teach Jesus’ commands, not Moses’. (Matthew 10:1, 5-6; 28:19-20). We were not born under the law, so if we do not obey it, we are not disobeying it, because we were never submitted to it. However, in proclaiming Jesus as Lord, we are submitting ourselves to Him—so we need to obey Jesus even as the Jews obeyed Moses (only better).
The higher righteousness
Finally, Jesus points out that simple obedience to Moses’ law isn’t good enough. After all, the Pharisees and Sadducees were trying very much to obey Moses’ law—and yet they still failed. Why is this? Because they were focusing on some specific laws, such as tithing and sabbath-keeping, but not on the laws that would cause one not to be judged by God. Moses’ law isn’t enough—we need to obey the Higher Law.
In order to assist us to be fully acceptable and obedient to God, Jesus taught us how to follow the law by which God will judge us on the final day. This higher law is: The one who is faithful to God will receive reward from God; The one who is merciful to others will receive mercy from God; The one who is lowered by others will be raised by God; Whatever one repents of will not be held against them. These laws do not replace the law of Moses, but they adequately explain how anyone could obey any law and be right before God. This could be another way in which Jesus fulfills the law: by teaching the true obedience of it.
This is the law that Jesus is going to explain to his disciples through the next sermon on the mount. This is the law God demands obedience of. This is the law that will cause us to have life. It is simpler than Moses’ law, but, in the end, much more difficult to do. We need God’s help for obedience.
Moses’ law is good and holy—
Jesus’ law is the pure law of God
Did Jesus support Moses, or was he Moses’ worst enemy? Did Jesus fully accept all of the law of Moses, or did he reject every command? And why even bring it up? Well, it is important. If someone comes up to you and insists that you not do any activity on the Sabbath (however he interprets that), then you need to know what Jesus thought of Moses’ command of the Sabbath. If you are struggling whether as a Christian how seriously you should take the food laws of Moses, you should know something about this subject.
Why is Jesus bringing up this subject?
In the context Jesus was speaking—the Sermon on the Mount to a large group of Jews in the midst of Israel—it seems that the answer would be simple. Of course he supports the Law! That’s what everyone would expect. So why even bring up the subject? First of all, Jesus brought it up because people around him questioned him about it. They asked, “Are you getting rid of the Old Testament?” So Jesus felt that he should answer the question.
So why did they bring it up? Because there were many times that Jesus sounded as if he was opposing the commands of the Old Testament. Sometimes it seemed as if Jesus was going to throw the whole thing away and start again. And many Christians throughout the years thought he was doing just that. Not only that, but the next section Jesus was going to discuss is full of many statements that sounds like he is contradicting the Old Testament. The section is called the Six Antitheses, where Jesus quotes the Old Testament, and then he makes a statement that seems to contradict the verse.
So which is it? Does Jesus support the Old Testament, or oppose it? Let’s read what he says:
Some think that I am setting aside the Old Testament, especially Moses’ law—but I have not come to do that. Rather, I have come to complete the Old Testament. Pay attention, here: even the least bit of Moses’ law will stand written, until every minor part of it is done as it stands written. Therefore, whoever is lax with Moses’ law and teaches others to do the same—they may enter the coming kingdom, but they will be unimportant there. But whoever emphasizes obedience in their own lives and in others’, they will be called great in God’s kingdom. Unless you have a better righteousness than today’s Bible teachers, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven.
Jesus’ general view of Moses’ law
Generally, Jesus is very affirming of the Old Testament, especially Moses’ law. Jesus says that Moses’ law will remain and it will be authoritative until the end of the age, when God’s kingdom will come. Not only that, but Jesus affirms the teaching of the whole law. The true teachers teach the whole Old Testament, Jesus said, leaving nothing out, even the least significant command. It seems as if Jesus fully supported the law.
How did Jesus fulfill the law of Moses?
Jesus thought so highly of Moses’ law, that he claimed that he would complete or fulfill it to the utmost extent. But what did Jesus actually mean by that? He meant three things:
a. Jesus would obey the Mosaic Law to the full extent
Jesus was a fully observant Jew, and never disobeyed the law of Moses. No Jew could accuse him of sin, which was determined by the law of Moses—not even his enemies (John 8:46). Jesus obeyed the law better than Moses or David did. Not only did Jesus obey the law that was written down to the letter, but he obeyed the Greater Law that stood behind the Mosaic Law.
b. Jesus would fulfill the paradigms that were only partially fulfilled in the Mosaic Law
All throughout the books of Moses, as well as the rest of the Hebrew Bible, there were many examples of God’s people, but all of them failed in some way. Moses and David were murderers, Aaron participated in idolatry, Abraham was a deceiver and Jacob was greedy. The children of Israel failed God’s law again and again. However, Jesus took Moses’ and David’s place, as well as the nation of Israel as a whole, and he fulfilled all of their roles perfectly, without any fault before God. Thus, Jesus fulfilled every role the Hebrew Bible presents—he was an obedient deliverer, a just judge, a devoted mediator, and a holy nation who endured through testing. Many of the Scriptures that Jesus was fulfilling were not prophecies at all, but simply stories that needed to be completed (see Matthew 2:15 and Hosea 11:1-2).
c. Jesus would fulfill the prophecies that are stated in the Hebrew Bible
Jesus stated many times that the Scripture would be fulfilled in him (for example, Matthew 26:31, 54). By this, he meant that there were many things in the Hebrew Scriptures that God says would happen. However, they had not occurred yet. Jesus said that he himself would be the focus of the completion of these promises.
Did Jesus contradict Moses?
Many people have trouble with Jesus saying, “Whoever is lax with Moses’ law will be least in God’s kingdom.” This is because they see Jesus opposing Moses in many places in his teaching: Concerning divorce, about how to treat one’s enemies, whether Gentiles can enter God’s kingdom, and in many other areas Jesus on the surface seems to be contradicting Moses. Does this mean that Jesus’ himself would be least in God’s kingdom? Looking closer, however, Jesus does not oppose the Torah in any way. Often Jesus is seen as doing away with Sabbath and cleansing laws of Moses’ law, but he is not doing so. At times he is prioritizing them, so that if they are in conflict, it can be seen which laws should be obeyed in a certain context. At times he is adjusting them, to make them be interpreted in light of compassion and justice. And at times he is heightening them, so they are to be interpreted in light of God’s higher laws. But never does he just say that this law has no place; nor does he set aside any command. To look at this closer, see the tract: “Did Jesus Oppose the Law?”
Does this mean that we need to place a railing on our roofs? (Deuteronomy 22:8)
Jesus is supporting the law to such a degree, does he then expect us to live it out? Should we start wearing God’s word on our forehead and stop eating bacon? Not necessarily. We need to remember that Jesus is speaking to his fellow Jews, not Gentiles. There are two cases in Matthew that he spoke to Gentiles and spoke of his demands. His demand for them was not to follow Moses, but to have faith (Matthew 8:5-13; 15:21-28) At first, Jesus sent his disciples to Israel alone, but when he sent them finally to the Gentiles, they were to teach Jesus’ commands, not Moses’. (Matthew 10:1, 5-6; 28:19-20). We were not born under the law, so if we do not obey it, we are not disobeying it, because we were never submitted to it. However, in proclaiming Jesus as Lord, we are submitting ourselves to Him—so we need to obey Jesus even as the Jews obeyed Moses (only better).
The higher righteousness
Finally, Jesus points out that simple obedience to Moses’ law isn’t good enough. After all, the Pharisees and Sadducees were trying very much to obey Moses’ law—and yet they still failed. Why is this? Because they were focusing on some specific laws, such as tithing and sabbath-keeping, but not on the laws that would cause one not to be judged by God. Moses’ law isn’t enough—we need to obey the Higher Law.
In order to assist us to be fully acceptable and obedient to God, Jesus taught us how to follow the law by which God will judge us on the final day. This higher law is: The one who is faithful to God will receive reward from God; The one who is merciful to others will receive mercy from God; The one who is lowered by others will be raised by God; Whatever one repents of will not be held against them. These laws do not replace the law of Moses, but they adequately explain how anyone could obey any law and be right before God. This could be another way in which Jesus fulfills the law: by teaching the true obedience of it.
This is the law that Jesus is going to explain to his disciples through the next sermon on the mount. This is the law God demands obedience of. This is the law that will cause us to have life. It is simpler than Moses’ law, but, in the end, much more difficult to do. We need God’s help for obedience.
Moses’ law is good and holy—
Jesus’ law is the pure law of God
Six Antitheses-- Matthew 5:21-48
The largest distinct section of the Sermon on the Mount is Matthew 5:21-48. This is also called the “six antitheses” because Jesus makes six quotations or paraphrases of commands of Moses in the Bible, and then he says, “But I say” and makes a similar but stronger statement. These antitheses—or oppositional statements—form the outline of this section, with other passages that relate to Jesus’ commands added to them.
What Jesus is teaching about the law
The hardest thing to understand about what Jesus is saying here, is that it looks like he is just flat contradicting God’s word in the Law. He is saying, “Moses said one thing, but I am saying another.” This is especially hard to understand because Jesus just said that he did not come to set aside the Law. But if we look at each statement closely, we will notice that Jesus isn’t denying anything that Moses says. He quotes Moses, or a paraphrase of Moses, and rather than denying that it isn’t true, he makes a statement that could be taken in addition to Moses. In other words, it is like he is saying, “What Moses said is right, but it isn’t enough. Let me fill it out some more.” So Jesus isn’t denying Moses, but actually making broader applications of Moses that wouldn’t be understood in a literal reading of the Law. Jesus is interpreting the Law, not contradicting it.
Jesus’ and other’s interpretations of Moses
Why is Jesus interpreting Moses? Isn’t God’s word complete in itself? Obviously, Jesus feels that there is something inadequate in how God’s word is expressed, because Jesus—God’s Son—needs to finish it out. But why? Because there were teachers who were taking important points of God’s word and interpreting it wrongly. Jesus knew what God desired because he experienced in heaven God’s will. And though Moses’ law is an expression of God’s will, it is being interpreted wrongly. The interpretations Jesus primarily attacks in the six antitheses are those which limit personal responsibility. Jesus is mostly contradicting the attitude of, “I can follow God and still do what I want.” People who make excuses, who minimize the impact of God’s word in their lives. Anyone who comes to God’s word and still remain the same person, Jesus says, does not truly want to submit to God.
Now let’s look at each antitheses. We will see what interpretation Jesus was contradicting, and we will also look at his interpretation:
1. You have heard that it was said to the ancients, “You shall not murder and whoever murders will be guilty to judgment.” But I say to you that everyone who is angry against his brother is guilty to judgment. Whoever says to his brother, “Raka” will be guilty to the Sanhedrin. Whoever says, “Idiot” will be guilty to the hell of fire.
Moses’ law—“Do not murder.”
Some taught it meant—“As long as you don’t murder, you can express other kinds of hatred.”
Jesus said—“Anyone who expresses even the smallest amount of hatred will be condemned by God.”
2. You have heard that it was said, “Do not commit adultery.” But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with covetousness for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Moses’ law—“Do not have sex with someone not your spouse.”
Some taught it meant—“As long as you don’t have sexual intercourse, you can express your desire in other ways.”
Jesus said—“Even the smallest expression of your illicit desire indicates that you are an adulterer.”
3. And it was said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a divorce notice.” But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on grounds of sexual unfaithfulness, makes her commit adultery and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Moses’ law—“If you divorce, give your spouse a divorce notice.”
Some taught it meant—“You can get divorced for any reason.”
Jesus said—“Unless your spouse has already broken faith in the marriage, the one who enforces the divorce is the one who breaks faith in the marriage.”
4. Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, “Do not break an oath, but you shall pay back to the Lord your oaths.” But I command you, do not swear at all—either by heaven (for it is God’s throne), or by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King, Nor swear by your head for you are not able to make one hair while or black. But let your word be, “yes, yes; no, no.” But whatever more than this is of the evil one.
Moses’ law—“Make all oaths in Yahweh’s name.”
Some taught it meant—“Any oath made in someone else’s name, apart from God’s, need not be kept.”
Jesus said—“Every promise made is before God. Keep it or lose your integrity and be a liar like Satan.”
5. You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you do not resist an evil person.
Moses’ Law—“Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, life for life.”
Some taught it meant—“Any authority who steals from me or oppresses me, I can rebel against.”
Jesus said—“Do good to those who oppress you.”
6. You have heard that it was said, “You will love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and he sends rain upon the righteous and the unrighteous.
Moses’ Law—“Love your neighbor. Do not do good to nations who have hated you.”
Some taught it meant—“Destroy those who hate God. Express hatred to those who persecute you.”
Jesus said—“Do good to your enemies, for that is what God constantly does. If you act like God, you will be rewarded by God.”
Preparation for judgment
Since Jesus was just interpreting Moses’ law, does it mean anything to us, really? Absolutely. Jesus is not only telling us how Moses’ law is inadequate, he is also telling us what God expects of us. Jesus states clearly in the first antitheses the threat of judgement on the last day if we fail to obey God’s real commands—the commands that control our minds. And these commands do not change, whether we are submitted to Moses’ law or a law of any nation. We will not be judged according to Moses or the law of the U.S. congress. Rather, we will be judged by God’s law, the obedience of which is in one’s mind and desires.
The internal law
What are these laws? Jesus mentions a few of them here: Do not express hatred for another, but do good to everyone no matter what they did to you. Do nothing sexually immoral. Do not break any commitments you make. Do not rebel against any authority, even evil ones. These are not laws that we can just wake up one day and say, “Well, it’s illegal to do this, so I think I’ll just stop.” Rather, these are laws that must begin to be obeyed in our minds. Our thoughts are what determine what our small, seeming insignificant actions will be. Thus, we must depend on the Spirit of God to obey in this way. Without the Spirit, we cannot obey God.
What Jesus is teaching about the law
The hardest thing to understand about what Jesus is saying here, is that it looks like he is just flat contradicting God’s word in the Law. He is saying, “Moses said one thing, but I am saying another.” This is especially hard to understand because Jesus just said that he did not come to set aside the Law. But if we look at each statement closely, we will notice that Jesus isn’t denying anything that Moses says. He quotes Moses, or a paraphrase of Moses, and rather than denying that it isn’t true, he makes a statement that could be taken in addition to Moses. In other words, it is like he is saying, “What Moses said is right, but it isn’t enough. Let me fill it out some more.” So Jesus isn’t denying Moses, but actually making broader applications of Moses that wouldn’t be understood in a literal reading of the Law. Jesus is interpreting the Law, not contradicting it.
Jesus’ and other’s interpretations of Moses
Why is Jesus interpreting Moses? Isn’t God’s word complete in itself? Obviously, Jesus feels that there is something inadequate in how God’s word is expressed, because Jesus—God’s Son—needs to finish it out. But why? Because there were teachers who were taking important points of God’s word and interpreting it wrongly. Jesus knew what God desired because he experienced in heaven God’s will. And though Moses’ law is an expression of God’s will, it is being interpreted wrongly. The interpretations Jesus primarily attacks in the six antitheses are those which limit personal responsibility. Jesus is mostly contradicting the attitude of, “I can follow God and still do what I want.” People who make excuses, who minimize the impact of God’s word in their lives. Anyone who comes to God’s word and still remain the same person, Jesus says, does not truly want to submit to God.
Now let’s look at each antitheses. We will see what interpretation Jesus was contradicting, and we will also look at his interpretation:
1. You have heard that it was said to the ancients, “You shall not murder and whoever murders will be guilty to judgment.” But I say to you that everyone who is angry against his brother is guilty to judgment. Whoever says to his brother, “Raka” will be guilty to the Sanhedrin. Whoever says, “Idiot” will be guilty to the hell of fire.
Moses’ law—“Do not murder.”
Some taught it meant—“As long as you don’t murder, you can express other kinds of hatred.”
Jesus said—“Anyone who expresses even the smallest amount of hatred will be condemned by God.”
2. You have heard that it was said, “Do not commit adultery.” But I say to you that everyone who looks at a woman with covetousness for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Moses’ law—“Do not have sex with someone not your spouse.”
Some taught it meant—“As long as you don’t have sexual intercourse, you can express your desire in other ways.”
Jesus said—“Even the smallest expression of your illicit desire indicates that you are an adulterer.”
3. And it was said, “Whoever divorces his wife, let him give her a divorce notice.” But I say to you that everyone who divorces his wife, except on grounds of sexual unfaithfulness, makes her commit adultery and whoever marries a divorced woman commits adultery.
Moses’ law—“If you divorce, give your spouse a divorce notice.”
Some taught it meant—“You can get divorced for any reason.”
Jesus said—“Unless your spouse has already broken faith in the marriage, the one who enforces the divorce is the one who breaks faith in the marriage.”
4. Again, you have heard that it was said to the ancients, “Do not break an oath, but you shall pay back to the Lord your oaths.” But I command you, do not swear at all—either by heaven (for it is God’s throne), or by the earth, for it is the footstool of his feet, nor by Jerusalem, for it is the city of the Great King, Nor swear by your head for you are not able to make one hair while or black. But let your word be, “yes, yes; no, no.” But whatever more than this is of the evil one.
Moses’ law—“Make all oaths in Yahweh’s name.”
Some taught it meant—“Any oath made in someone else’s name, apart from God’s, need not be kept.”
Jesus said—“Every promise made is before God. Keep it or lose your integrity and be a liar like Satan.”
5. You have heard that it was said, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” But I say to you do not resist an evil person.
Moses’ Law—“Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, life for life.”
Some taught it meant—“Any authority who steals from me or oppresses me, I can rebel against.”
Jesus said—“Do good to those who oppress you.”
6. You have heard that it was said, “You will love your neighbor and hate your enemy.” But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for he causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good and he sends rain upon the righteous and the unrighteous.
Moses’ Law—“Love your neighbor. Do not do good to nations who have hated you.”
Some taught it meant—“Destroy those who hate God. Express hatred to those who persecute you.”
Jesus said—“Do good to your enemies, for that is what God constantly does. If you act like God, you will be rewarded by God.”
Preparation for judgment
Since Jesus was just interpreting Moses’ law, does it mean anything to us, really? Absolutely. Jesus is not only telling us how Moses’ law is inadequate, he is also telling us what God expects of us. Jesus states clearly in the first antitheses the threat of judgement on the last day if we fail to obey God’s real commands—the commands that control our minds. And these commands do not change, whether we are submitted to Moses’ law or a law of any nation. We will not be judged according to Moses or the law of the U.S. congress. Rather, we will be judged by God’s law, the obedience of which is in one’s mind and desires.
The internal law
What are these laws? Jesus mentions a few of them here: Do not express hatred for another, but do good to everyone no matter what they did to you. Do nothing sexually immoral. Do not break any commitments you make. Do not rebel against any authority, even evil ones. These are not laws that we can just wake up one day and say, “Well, it’s illegal to do this, so I think I’ll just stop.” Rather, these are laws that must begin to be obeyed in our minds. Our thoughts are what determine what our small, seeming insignificant actions will be. Thus, we must depend on the Spirit of God to obey in this way. Without the Spirit, we cannot obey God.
Anger and Reconciliation-- Matthew 5:21-26
Okay, we all have to admit it. People are jerks. Even the greatest people in the world—the most righteous or nicest people—do or say jerky things sometimes. And we just want to respond back. In kind. Oh, we can try to hold it in sometimes, and perhaps we’re successful (most of the time). But in our heads we are running a script that reads like a Don Rickles set. We are cutting them down, wittily tearing them apart. Or maybe, if we are the more physical type, we are thinking more than that. Perhaps we are clenching our fist to keep from punching someone out.
Anger is something we all need to deal with. All of us have anger, we just may deal with it in different ways. Jesus himself had anger and had to find ways to deal with it (Mark 3:5). God made us all with anger. But what are we to do with it? Jesus discusses that right now:
Anger and Hostility
You’ve heard the teaching, how Moses told the ancients, “Don’t murder.” Some tell you that God judges just those who are guilty of murder. But I command you that every person who is hostile to others is going to be judged by God. In the kingdom, the one who dishonors another will be condemned by the Supreme Court. And the insulter will be punished by hellfire.
Jesus’ teaching here seems pretty extreme. He is in agreement with Moses—Murder is a bad thing, and everyone who murders will be judged by God. But Jesus says that murder isn’t the limit of God’s judgement. In fact, if anyone gives another a display of anger, then they will be judged by God—even something as small as an insult. They will receive the same kind of judgement as a murderer—hell!
That doesn’t seem to make any sense. Why would God punish someone for insulting another—something almost all of us has done at one point or another—just the same as a murderer? The reason is that God isn’t actually punishing the act—he is punishing the attitude. It is the attitude that often accompanies anger that God is punishing—the intent to harm another person.
Not all anger is wrong, Scripture makes that clear (Ephesians 4:26), and Jesus—as well as other saints in the Bible—have had anger which was right before God. But most anger is anger in sin (James 1:19-20). The difference between righteous anger and sinful anger is this: the attitude of benefit or of harm to another. If anger causes you to act in harm to another, then you will be punished.
In Scripture, there are three types of harm that will be punished. If one does physical punishment with the intent to harm, it will be punished by God. If one dishonors another, especially in public, they will be punished by God. And if anyone refuses to help another in their need, they will be punished by God (I John 3:16-17).
The Need for Reconciliation
Of course, this doesn’t probably make us feel good about ourselves. Almost all of us have insulted someone or lashed out in anger against someone else—even if it was a small act. Does this mean there is no hope? No, in fact, Jesus tells us how to solve our problem before God:
If you wish to make an offering to God and remember that you have wronged someone, then don’t finish making your offering. Making everyone else wait, first go and make it right with the one you wronged—then go to God.
You are going to God with all of these around you. Whomever you have wronged will accuse you before God. And for your debt to them, God will put you under the authority of Satan and Satan will put you in judgment. And you will not be released until you have repaid your debt, even the smallest bit.
In this passage, Jesus is giving us two examples of us going before God. In the first, we are approaching God to worship Him and to take our request before Him. In the second, we are hoping to have a good hearing before God on judgment day. In both of these cases, we are assuming (or hoping) that God will accept us and help us. However, Jesus says, we need to be more careful when we approach God. You see, if there is someone whom we have wronged in some way who approaches God with a complaint against us, then we will not be received favorably. In fact, even in our time of prayer, we will be judged.
So what should we do? We should do what we should always do when we sin—we must repent. Repentance means different things with different sins, but for a sin of anger—acting in harm against another—then we need to reconcile. What does it mean to reconcile when we have harmed another? It means that we need to do everything we can to be at peace with the other person. Perhaps it will mean an apology. Perhaps it will mean redressing some wrong. But we need to do what we can to fix the situation. Only in the effort of making peace will we gain forgiveness.
This doesn’t mean that our forgiveness by God is dependant on someone forgiving us. Rather, it means that we need to address the problem. “In as much as you are able, be at peace with everyone,” Paul says (Romans 12:19). Beyond that, the Lord does not hold us liable if we are unable to make the other person forgive us.
A Process of Reconciliation
Of course, reconciliation isn’t easy, no matter how you look at it. After all, if we did something to harm another, they probably deserved it—at least a little. And they probably didn’t even think they did anything wrong! However, our object is not to make sure that the wrongs done against us are righted. Rather, we want to focus on getting our relationship with God right again. With that in mind—admitting that we could still be angry at the other person we harmed in our anger—we might want to go through the following steps in making reconciliation:
Pray to the Spirit for God’s love for the person you are angry with
Determine how you would act if you cared for them and their well-being
Act on that determination with prayer and devotion to God
Apologize for whatever you did wrong, even if they do not respond in a way that you find appropriate
Approach a mature, gentile brother or sister to help you deal with the situation
Make a list of the things you could do to keep peace between you and the person you are angry with. If you can’t think of anything, ask someone else what they think you could do.
Pray that the person would do his or her best to reconcile as well.
Talk to the person to express how they hurt you
Once you have done everything you can, let it go.
Be angry with actions to help the other, not harm them.
The solution to sinful anger is reconciliation.
Anger is something we all need to deal with. All of us have anger, we just may deal with it in different ways. Jesus himself had anger and had to find ways to deal with it (Mark 3:5). God made us all with anger. But what are we to do with it? Jesus discusses that right now:
Anger and Hostility
You’ve heard the teaching, how Moses told the ancients, “Don’t murder.” Some tell you that God judges just those who are guilty of murder. But I command you that every person who is hostile to others is going to be judged by God. In the kingdom, the one who dishonors another will be condemned by the Supreme Court. And the insulter will be punished by hellfire.
Jesus’ teaching here seems pretty extreme. He is in agreement with Moses—Murder is a bad thing, and everyone who murders will be judged by God. But Jesus says that murder isn’t the limit of God’s judgement. In fact, if anyone gives another a display of anger, then they will be judged by God—even something as small as an insult. They will receive the same kind of judgement as a murderer—hell!
That doesn’t seem to make any sense. Why would God punish someone for insulting another—something almost all of us has done at one point or another—just the same as a murderer? The reason is that God isn’t actually punishing the act—he is punishing the attitude. It is the attitude that often accompanies anger that God is punishing—the intent to harm another person.
Not all anger is wrong, Scripture makes that clear (Ephesians 4:26), and Jesus—as well as other saints in the Bible—have had anger which was right before God. But most anger is anger in sin (James 1:19-20). The difference between righteous anger and sinful anger is this: the attitude of benefit or of harm to another. If anger causes you to act in harm to another, then you will be punished.
In Scripture, there are three types of harm that will be punished. If one does physical punishment with the intent to harm, it will be punished by God. If one dishonors another, especially in public, they will be punished by God. And if anyone refuses to help another in their need, they will be punished by God (I John 3:16-17).
The Need for Reconciliation
Of course, this doesn’t probably make us feel good about ourselves. Almost all of us have insulted someone or lashed out in anger against someone else—even if it was a small act. Does this mean there is no hope? No, in fact, Jesus tells us how to solve our problem before God:
If you wish to make an offering to God and remember that you have wronged someone, then don’t finish making your offering. Making everyone else wait, first go and make it right with the one you wronged—then go to God.
You are going to God with all of these around you. Whomever you have wronged will accuse you before God. And for your debt to them, God will put you under the authority of Satan and Satan will put you in judgment. And you will not be released until you have repaid your debt, even the smallest bit.
In this passage, Jesus is giving us two examples of us going before God. In the first, we are approaching God to worship Him and to take our request before Him. In the second, we are hoping to have a good hearing before God on judgment day. In both of these cases, we are assuming (or hoping) that God will accept us and help us. However, Jesus says, we need to be more careful when we approach God. You see, if there is someone whom we have wronged in some way who approaches God with a complaint against us, then we will not be received favorably. In fact, even in our time of prayer, we will be judged.
So what should we do? We should do what we should always do when we sin—we must repent. Repentance means different things with different sins, but for a sin of anger—acting in harm against another—then we need to reconcile. What does it mean to reconcile when we have harmed another? It means that we need to do everything we can to be at peace with the other person. Perhaps it will mean an apology. Perhaps it will mean redressing some wrong. But we need to do what we can to fix the situation. Only in the effort of making peace will we gain forgiveness.
This doesn’t mean that our forgiveness by God is dependant on someone forgiving us. Rather, it means that we need to address the problem. “In as much as you are able, be at peace with everyone,” Paul says (Romans 12:19). Beyond that, the Lord does not hold us liable if we are unable to make the other person forgive us.
A Process of Reconciliation
Of course, reconciliation isn’t easy, no matter how you look at it. After all, if we did something to harm another, they probably deserved it—at least a little. And they probably didn’t even think they did anything wrong! However, our object is not to make sure that the wrongs done against us are righted. Rather, we want to focus on getting our relationship with God right again. With that in mind—admitting that we could still be angry at the other person we harmed in our anger—we might want to go through the following steps in making reconciliation:
Pray to the Spirit for God’s love for the person you are angry with
Determine how you would act if you cared for them and their well-being
Act on that determination with prayer and devotion to God
Apologize for whatever you did wrong, even if they do not respond in a way that you find appropriate
Approach a mature, gentile brother or sister to help you deal with the situation
Make a list of the things you could do to keep peace between you and the person you are angry with. If you can’t think of anything, ask someone else what they think you could do.
Pray that the person would do his or her best to reconcile as well.
Talk to the person to express how they hurt you
Once you have done everything you can, let it go.
Be angry with actions to help the other, not harm them.
The solution to sinful anger is reconciliation.
Sexual Immorality-- Matthew 6:27-30
What’s wrong with sex?
As soon as we start talking about “sexual immorality” we start getting guilt feelings. Either we feel guilty about sexual matters we’ve been involved in or what we’ve thought about that we wish no one to know. It’s a touchy subject, even though televisions, movies, magazines and even comic books bombard us with sex every chance they get. Publicly, we seem to be able to speak about sex at will, but in one-on-one conversation, we seem to have a difficult time talking about it, even with someone we are having sex with!
So what is the matter with us? Is there something wrong with sex? No, absolutely not. Sex was created by God, and he wants us to have sex. However, sex is also a private issue, in that a couple’s sexual practice shouldn’t really be discussed in public. Also, we recognize that sex is an action that is easy for us to misstep. Almost all of us have had sexual experiences that have been wrong—sin for us, possibly harming another, or we have been shamed about our sexual actions.
And there are so many ways to go wrong with sex. Our society obsesses about it, yet doesn’t want to talk openly and fairly about what is right and wrong with it. Jesus, of course, had no such limits. He spoke clearly and openly about what is right and wrong with sex.
You’ve heard the teaching, “Just don’t commit adultery.” But I say to you that if you even look at the opposite sex with desire to possess, then you have already intended to commit sexual immorality, and so you will be judged by God.
What is adultery?
Adultery is used specifically to talk about sexual involvement when one of the parties is already married to another person. It is cheating on your spouse or being involved with a married person. However, in Scripture, the term “sexual immorality” means more than just adultery. It includes incest, any kind of homosexual sex, bestiality, pre-marital sex and even sex with a woman who is on her monthly period. Sexual immorality not only tells us not to have sex outside of marriage, but it also tells us who God says we cannot marry.
Why is adultery so bad?
Adultery and sexual immorality are a problem because we are denying God. God created us sexually, so that we would love in a committed relationship with the opposite sex and have children. This is God’s plan, in general, for humanity’s sexuality. Surely people could reject that form of sexuality—people have almost from the beginning. But if we deny God’s plan for sexuality, then we are also rejecting a relationship with God. God considers adultery and sexual immorality to be an “abomination” a hateful practice. And God will not abide with those who so flout his desire.
Adultery and sexual immorality can sometimes hurt other people. To break a commitment because of sexual desire is a slap in the face. Sexual carelessness can destroy many lives with disease and apathy. But sexual immorality doesn’t hurt people every time. Sometimes it seems good for everyone involved. But it will always hurt your relationship with God. You become a practicer of abominations in God’s eyes. Your body is full of corruption. You could not possibly stand before God. Even your prayers become disgusting.
What is Chastity?
Jesus’ main point here has to do with the difference of enacting sexual immorality and the desire to do it. We all have some kind of sexual desires. We are all human. Jesus, in listening to the preachers of his day, heard them say, “Of course you will want her—just don’t have sex with her. But it’s okay to look, after all, we’re only human.” Jesus, however, says that any action—no matter how small—displays our action. Not only should we not have sex with the object of our desire, but even a look of desire is enough to display our sexual lust. To look with lust, or any other sexual action—flirting, masturbation, “heavy petting”—all of these display our sexual intent, even if we don’t go “all the way.” Jesus isn’t just interested in keeping our sexual organs pure—he wants us to be Chaste.
What is Chastity? It is an old-fashioned word for an idea that isn’t very popular anymore. It is keeping oneself sexually pure, not only in action, but in heart. For a single person, it is denying oneself sexually in any way. For a married person, it is keeping one’s sexual thoughts and actions on only one person—one’s spouse.
Tips To Maintain Chastity
With this discussion on sexual immorality, Jesus gives two tips to remain chaste:
If your good eye is what is encouraging you to fall from devotion to God, pluck it out and throw it away. It is to your benefit to lose even a part of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown away into hell. If your good hand is what is encouraging you to fall from devotion to God, chop it off and throw it away. It is to your benefit that you lose even a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown away into hell.
Flee Immorality
Sexual immorality is a sin, and it separates us from God. Therefore, we should stay away from anything that causes it in us. No matter what that thing is. Perhaps for one person it is pornography. Perhaps for another it is television. Perhaps for another it is dating. Perhaps for another it is the area of town where prostitutes hang out. Perhaps for another it is a relationship that always leads to sex or thinking about sex. Whatever the case, we need to maintain purity, in both body and mind. Whatever causes us to sin, Jesus recommends, we should cut it off.
Does this mean that we should be cutting off parts of our body? Perhaps even our sexual organs (God forbid!). No. Jesus says in another place that the source of our sin is not our body, but our mind (Matthew 15:18-20). But what is it that leads our mind? A picture? A place? A person? Whatever it is that leads our mind to sin, we need to be separated from it. We shouldn’t try to fight the sexual temptation—just run away from it. (I Corinthians 6:18)
Immorality is serious
The second tip Jesus gives us about remaining chaste is to remember what is the results of sexual immorality. Jesus doesn’t mince words here—sexual immorality leads to hell. If we persist in sexual immorality without repentance, then we will go to hell and our life will be an eternal death. We should remember what the consequences of our sin are, before we do it. Because afterward is too late. Once we’ve acted, we’ve acted.
We should always meditate on the eternal consequences of all that we do. If we remain chaste, we live with God. If we live in sexual immorality, we burn in hell. Let us take this word seriously. Jesus knows—he has passed through both heaven and hell and know what kind of people are in both.
Casual sex is death.
Let’s keep our minds pure.
As soon as we start talking about “sexual immorality” we start getting guilt feelings. Either we feel guilty about sexual matters we’ve been involved in or what we’ve thought about that we wish no one to know. It’s a touchy subject, even though televisions, movies, magazines and even comic books bombard us with sex every chance they get. Publicly, we seem to be able to speak about sex at will, but in one-on-one conversation, we seem to have a difficult time talking about it, even with someone we are having sex with!
So what is the matter with us? Is there something wrong with sex? No, absolutely not. Sex was created by God, and he wants us to have sex. However, sex is also a private issue, in that a couple’s sexual practice shouldn’t really be discussed in public. Also, we recognize that sex is an action that is easy for us to misstep. Almost all of us have had sexual experiences that have been wrong—sin for us, possibly harming another, or we have been shamed about our sexual actions.
And there are so many ways to go wrong with sex. Our society obsesses about it, yet doesn’t want to talk openly and fairly about what is right and wrong with it. Jesus, of course, had no such limits. He spoke clearly and openly about what is right and wrong with sex.
You’ve heard the teaching, “Just don’t commit adultery.” But I say to you that if you even look at the opposite sex with desire to possess, then you have already intended to commit sexual immorality, and so you will be judged by God.
What is adultery?
Adultery is used specifically to talk about sexual involvement when one of the parties is already married to another person. It is cheating on your spouse or being involved with a married person. However, in Scripture, the term “sexual immorality” means more than just adultery. It includes incest, any kind of homosexual sex, bestiality, pre-marital sex and even sex with a woman who is on her monthly period. Sexual immorality not only tells us not to have sex outside of marriage, but it also tells us who God says we cannot marry.
Why is adultery so bad?
Adultery and sexual immorality are a problem because we are denying God. God created us sexually, so that we would love in a committed relationship with the opposite sex and have children. This is God’s plan, in general, for humanity’s sexuality. Surely people could reject that form of sexuality—people have almost from the beginning. But if we deny God’s plan for sexuality, then we are also rejecting a relationship with God. God considers adultery and sexual immorality to be an “abomination” a hateful practice. And God will not abide with those who so flout his desire.
Adultery and sexual immorality can sometimes hurt other people. To break a commitment because of sexual desire is a slap in the face. Sexual carelessness can destroy many lives with disease and apathy. But sexual immorality doesn’t hurt people every time. Sometimes it seems good for everyone involved. But it will always hurt your relationship with God. You become a practicer of abominations in God’s eyes. Your body is full of corruption. You could not possibly stand before God. Even your prayers become disgusting.
What is Chastity?
Jesus’ main point here has to do with the difference of enacting sexual immorality and the desire to do it. We all have some kind of sexual desires. We are all human. Jesus, in listening to the preachers of his day, heard them say, “Of course you will want her—just don’t have sex with her. But it’s okay to look, after all, we’re only human.” Jesus, however, says that any action—no matter how small—displays our action. Not only should we not have sex with the object of our desire, but even a look of desire is enough to display our sexual lust. To look with lust, or any other sexual action—flirting, masturbation, “heavy petting”—all of these display our sexual intent, even if we don’t go “all the way.” Jesus isn’t just interested in keeping our sexual organs pure—he wants us to be Chaste.
What is Chastity? It is an old-fashioned word for an idea that isn’t very popular anymore. It is keeping oneself sexually pure, not only in action, but in heart. For a single person, it is denying oneself sexually in any way. For a married person, it is keeping one’s sexual thoughts and actions on only one person—one’s spouse.
Tips To Maintain Chastity
With this discussion on sexual immorality, Jesus gives two tips to remain chaste:
If your good eye is what is encouraging you to fall from devotion to God, pluck it out and throw it away. It is to your benefit to lose even a part of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown away into hell. If your good hand is what is encouraging you to fall from devotion to God, chop it off and throw it away. It is to your benefit that you lose even a part of your body than to have your whole body thrown away into hell.
Flee Immorality
Sexual immorality is a sin, and it separates us from God. Therefore, we should stay away from anything that causes it in us. No matter what that thing is. Perhaps for one person it is pornography. Perhaps for another it is television. Perhaps for another it is dating. Perhaps for another it is the area of town where prostitutes hang out. Perhaps for another it is a relationship that always leads to sex or thinking about sex. Whatever the case, we need to maintain purity, in both body and mind. Whatever causes us to sin, Jesus recommends, we should cut it off.
Does this mean that we should be cutting off parts of our body? Perhaps even our sexual organs (God forbid!). No. Jesus says in another place that the source of our sin is not our body, but our mind (Matthew 15:18-20). But what is it that leads our mind? A picture? A place? A person? Whatever it is that leads our mind to sin, we need to be separated from it. We shouldn’t try to fight the sexual temptation—just run away from it. (I Corinthians 6:18)
Immorality is serious
The second tip Jesus gives us about remaining chaste is to remember what is the results of sexual immorality. Jesus doesn’t mince words here—sexual immorality leads to hell. If we persist in sexual immorality without repentance, then we will go to hell and our life will be an eternal death. We should remember what the consequences of our sin are, before we do it. Because afterward is too late. Once we’ve acted, we’ve acted.
We should always meditate on the eternal consequences of all that we do. If we remain chaste, we live with God. If we live in sexual immorality, we burn in hell. Let us take this word seriously. Jesus knows—he has passed through both heaven and hell and know what kind of people are in both.
Casual sex is death.
Let’s keep our minds pure.
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